It's done

[Kurt]

Well I finally found my way home. Got myself lost in the Michigan UP and stopped at my old hunting grounds. It has really changed. They clear cut the whole section, but new growth is on a good start.

Here is my new project. I still have a little more sanding but it's starting to feel pretty good. I ordered the wood unfinished and I wanted the wrist with straight tight grain. You wont see much figure in it yet till I get it oiled. I think a little is fine, but I don't want to much. I think I will bed the forearm on this one as well as the tang.
I pulled the bullets from the cases I had loaded and ran the rounds through a sizing die I made that match the reamer and they now fall right in.
I made a quick hammer slug of the bore from what was cut off the barrel. I got my shallow .003" deep grooves I wanted. This makes the .44-75 Ballard everlasting chamber and bore as close to what they where originally.
I cant wait till I get the wood oiled, I just have to dirty up the bore tomorrow to see if it shows any signs of shooting well.

Kurt

[Don McDowell]

That's going to be a looker when it gets done.

[Martini2]

Great wood Kurt, thanks for pictures. Looks like you achieved exact lay out of straight grain in grip and Eye Candy figure further back. How do you prefer to fit forearm at action, clearance gap or close fit. On the North route to West from Ohio that is our preference too. U.P. is fun to cross in the dark. Last time we were out to '14 Q and Big Hill, on return trip East, we hit hard rain from Wisconsin at U.P. all the way to Bridge. It sure washed the red road paint off the truck top & bottom;-)

[Kurt]

Right now the forearm is tight. I wont do any sanding till I see what it's doing down range. My first rifle it liked a very thin line of light between the action and the wood. Also the tang and trigger plate was bedded. I have the tang bedded right now I think on the 44-1/2 it is a plus you keep it from flexing if it is not setup with a through bolt.
We took Rt.6 most of the way. I don't drive the gypsy wagon to fast anyway. LOL Not to many days it don't rain in the UP and the snow days, or months are long Not uncommon during hunting season the 3 foot over night snow fall will push the tent roof in your face over night
I haven't hunted up there for about 20 years since the wolf's moved on and my hunting partner went under.

Kurt

[J.B.]

Very nice piece of gear there Kurt. Looking forward to hearing how it performs for you.
Congratulations.

Gavin.

[Iron Coyote]

Kurt
Mighty fine lookin' rifle.
I'm sure that this one will be fine shooter.
Thnx lots
Bob

[Kurt]

Put the first wet coat of oil on it. I does show some figure in the wood. Not to much, but just right!! The wood id pretty tight grained so it wont take to many coats of Formby tung oil to fill the pores.

[Don McDowell]

Oh my that's going to be a gorgeous rifle. Seems like after they get out in the sun it helps the figure come out as well.
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[Kurt]

Don, lets hope this barrel shoots. That is more important then the looks to me.

[Don McDowell]

Kurt I would like to play with that old barrel using my larger diameter bullets sometime.